LoC Skirmishes: Are India, Pakistan heading towards a war?

New Delhi, Jan 9: India has reacted strongly against "inhuman" killing of two of its soldiers by Pakistani troops in Poonch. India has warned Pakistan of a "proportionate response" after its army brutally killed and mutilated two Indian jawans on Tuesday, Jan 8.

Amid escalating tensions on Line of Control (LoC), fear of a war loom large between the two neighbouring countries. However, both the countries cannot afford to go on a war at this point of time.

"India and Pakistan cannot, must not, allow (the killings) to propel in the direction of war," said a report in Pakistani Newspaper The News International.

Pakistan has accused Indian troops of killing one of its soldiers.

Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said that the killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops was highly provocative. "The way in which the Indian soldiers' bodies were treated is inhuman," Antony added. He also said that India will register a strong protest against the ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

India has summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir to lodge a protest over the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army troops. Sources say the External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry and Intelligence agencies are assessing the situation. Sources say that the response from the Indian side will be measured as Indian officials see the value in the India-Pakistan dialogue process.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid called it 'inhuman' and 'ghastly'. "It is Absolutely Unacceptable, seems like a clear attempt to derail dialogue. A Ghastly incident. This is inhuman. Extremely Myopic by Pakistan. This is not how civilised people behave, specially a neighbour. Extremely distressing. We need answers from Pakistani side. We will take it up," Khurshid said.

Reacting to the ceasefire violation by Pakistan, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley said the Indian government should now deal with Pakistan cautiously. "Indian Government should now deal with Pakistan very cautiously, red lines should be drawn," Jaitley said.

"The gruesome way in which the Pakistani Army killed the two Indian soldiers is a warning to India," Jaitley added.